The North Tyneside MP put in a bill of £172.50 for parking permits in December last year, along with £226.55 for paint in the same month. A £1,057.43 claim was made in relation to work to remove wall plaster and re-plastering at his second home.

Mr Byers, who is quitting at the next election, also charged £226 for the cost of cleaning curtains in January this year.

And there was a £138 bill in the same month to “reinstate” a central heating radiator. The Journal understands all the claims were linked to work to deal with damp in the London basement flat, where the MP stays in the capital. His overall second homes claims in 2008-09 were £8,935.52.